``The franchisees already knew about the new regularion that has been introduced before they we were asked to retain our set of players and releasing the rest. This change is certainly for the betterment of Hockey. Earlier, penalty corner was the main concern and not the field goal, this introduction will definitely pay more consideration to score field goals.”

The six franchisees picked their teams from the 271 players, who went under the hammer. The players included 135 Indian and 136 foreigners. Jaypee Punjab Warriors took India captain Sardar Singh at USD 58000. Another much awaited bid was Rupinder Pal Singh and Delhi Waveriders went all out to get him back to the squad at USD 68000. The franchisees showed their keenness for the versatile defender Sandeep Singh as Ranchi Rays went on to grab him for USD 81000, while legendary player Jamie Dwyer was clinched by Uttar Pradesh Wizards for USD 57000.

Young Indian forward Akashdeep Singh, defender Gurmail Singh, forward Gurwinder Singh Chandi, forward Mandeep Singh, forward Nikkin Thimmaiah were bid for aggressively by franchisees and were pocketed by Uttar Pradesh Wizards, Dabang Mumbai, Jaypee Punjab Warriors, Delhi Waveriders, Dabang Mumbai respectively.

While Akashdeep became the highest paid Indian player with USD 84000, he was closely followed by Gurmail Singh being bagged for USD 81000, Gurwinder Singh Chandi for USD 75000, Mandeep Singh going for USD 70000 and Nikkin Thimmaiah taken for USD 67000 marking a new high for Indian players getting recognized for their contribution to Indian Hockey. Hockey India League 2016 will have its inaugural match in Bhubaneswar and the Finale will be played in Ranchi.

TEAN KALINGA LANCERS (Read as Player, Country, Position, Price): Devindar Walmiki (India, Forward, $30,000), Lalit Upadhyay (India, Forward $35,000), Gurjinder Singh (India, Defender, $50,000), Anand Lakra (India, Defender, $8,000), Dharamvir Singh (India, Midfielder, $60,000), Amit Rohidas (India, Defender, $31,000), Abhinav Kumar Pandey (India, Goalkeeper, $2,600), Stanli Victor Minz (India, Forward, $8,500), Malak Singh (India, Forward, $24,000), Dipsan Tirkey (India, Defender, $31,000), Pardeep Mor (India, Defender, $37,000), SK Uthappa (India, Midfielder, $54,000), Aran Zalewski (Australia, Defender/Midfielder, $50,000), Andrew Charter (Australia, Goalkeeper, $40,000), Moritz Fuerste (Germany, Midfielder, $105,000), Matthew Willis (Australia, Defender/ Midfielder, $15,000), Glenn Turner (Australia, Forward, $30,000), Matthew Dawson (Australia, Defender/Midfielder, $21,000), Adam Dixon (England, Midfielder/ Forward, $15,000), Quirijn Caspers (Netherlands, Midfielder / Forward, $15,000).
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TOP: Kalinga Lancers chief mentor Dilip Tirkey (1st from right) and other officials at the HIL auction in Delhi on Sept 17, 2015.
RIGHT: Unidentified person representing Kalinga Lancers at the HIL auction in Delhi on Sept 17, 2015.